Mike MacIntyre, Colorado Buffaloes Take Step Back in Loss to Colorado State Rams

By Tyler Brett

Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports

At one time, the Colorado Buffaloeswere one of the best college football teams in the country. Mike MacIntyre has been hired to try and get the Buffs back to that level and built some solid momentum in his first season in 2013. With expectations raised, Colordao kicked off their season with their annual rivalry game against the Colorado State Rams. With a chance to take another step forward in their rebuilding effort, MacIntyre’s team suffered a serious setback, getting overpowered by the Rams in a 31-17 defeat.

Since joining the Pac-12, Colorado has been struggling to gain ground as a winning program. Last season, they had a nice boot to their effort with a win over Colorado State to start the year. While the team fizzled down the stretch, that strong opening provided a foundation on which the team could build on moving forward. They hoped to turn that early victory into a strong offseason with improved depth across the board and fresh leaders stepping up to lead the team to greater success in 2014.

But the Buffs struggled to build a meager lead heading into the fourth quarter before the Rams took control. Led by Dee Hart, a graduate transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Colorado State imposed their will on Colorado in the fourth quarter. Hart finished the game with 139 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 22 carries while Treyous Jarrells added 121 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. Colorado’s defense was simply broken and beaten down by the methodical and physical rushing attack of the Rams.

To gain traction in building a winning program, Colorado needed to prove themselves as the top team in their own state. By getting pushed around by Colorado State, the Buffs have suffered a major setback for their 2014 success and have proven there’s still a long road to travel before CU football is truly back.